Portable Electronic Holder

ABSTRACT

A holder for a portable electronic device comprises a mountable housing a latching mechanism. The portable electronic device has a bottom surface defining a slot and a front edge The mountable housing has a first end and a second end. The latching mechanism is movably disposed on the first end and includes a biasing element exerting a force on the latching mechanism in a direction towards the second end. When the portable electronic device is properly inserted within the holder the latching mechanism engages the slot for securing the portable electronic device

PREVIOUS FILING

This application emanates from a previous Provisional filing application 61/024456 filed on Jan. 29, 2008

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to holders of portable electronic devices, and more particularly to audio/video personal players and the like.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Numerous types of electronic devices are known, many of which are portable, for example, mobile (or cellular) phones, laptop computers, and audio playback devices, for example, portable AM and FM radios, portable CD (compact disk) players, and portable MP3 (MPEG Audio Layer-3) players. The term “electronic device” should be broadly understood and includes electronic devices of all types and designs.

MP3 format is a compressed format for digital music. Use of MP3 format reduces the size of digitized music files without degrading or distorting acoustic sound quality. Music is sometimes converted to MP3 format and made available on the Internet. Such MP3 files can be downloaded from the Internet using a computer and special software. A computer with the appropriate capability and software can convert digital music from a CD into MP3 format. MP3 files are commonly played in three different ways: (i) MP3 files can be played directly on a computer that contains the requisite software, (ii) MP3 files can be decompressed and recorded onto a CD, which can then be played, and (iii) MP3 files can be played on an MP3 player.

Portable MP3 players are relatively small, light-weight devices that can interface with a computer. Typically, a user downloads MP3 files from the Internet onto a computer and then loads the MP3 files onto the MP3 player. The MP3 player is connected to the computer's parallel or USB port, which allows the MP3 player to interface with the computer and receive the MP3 files.

There are many portable MP3 players available, including those manufactured by Sony Corp., Philips Corp., Audiovox Corp., and Apple Computer, Inc. (e.g., Apple Computer's iPod MP3 player and iPod mini MP3 player). MP3 players rely on batteries for their portability and typically utilize headsets or ear phones for user listening.

MP3 player accessories that attempt to overcome these limitations are available, for example, units to supply power to the MP3 player for operation and/or charging (e.g., Auto Kit For iPod With Dock Connector, Part No. F8V7058-APL, from Belkin Corp.) and FM transmission systems (e.g., TuneCast II Mobile FM Transmitter, Part No. F8V3080-APL, from Belkin Corp.). An FM transmission system when used in conjunction with an MP3 player allows the user to play MP3 music files stored on the MP3 player through an FM audio system so that one can listen and allow others to listen to the stored music.

Some known accessory units combine power supply and charging circuitry with an FM transmission system. Some of these devices are capable of use in vehicles by means of a cigarette lighter adapter (e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 6,591,085, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2004/0058649, International Application Publication No. WO 2004/010594, and International Application Publication No. WO 2004/008649). The current devices available, however, are often bulky, mechanically unstable, lack versatility, produce weak FM signals, yield noisy audio output from the FM receiver (e.g., audio output with noticeable hiss), and sacrifice user comfort and convenience. (All of the documents, including patent documents and product specification sheets, are incorporated herein in their entireties for all purposes.)

Broadly speaking, accessories for electronic devices have included various features that attempt to improve reliability, stability, portability, and/or functionality. Some of these features include: multiple preset buttons for user convenience; concealed buttons under a single smooth resilient thin outside surface, which reduces the danger of dirt getting stuck between the buttons (as in, for example, some cell phones and microwave ovens); goosenecks, which allow for increased maneuverability of the devices; and swivel joints, which also allow for increased maneuverability of the devices.

Despite all of this, however, the need still remains for a versatile holder for electronic devices (e.g., MP3 players) so that one can easily utilize the full breadth of the capabilities of the electronic devices without having to hold it while in use or set onto an unstable surface. In the case of MP3 players, such units desirably would allow the user (and desirably others also) to listen to the music hands free.

While traveling on a commercial jet, I realized there needed to be a way to hold a persons iPod, iPhone, iTouch, Zune, or other similiar personal electronic device (PED). I did not enjoy sitting there holding mine the whole time while flying, especially while trying to work on a laptop or read a magazine. I also noticed other passengers trying to prop theirs on pillows, so they could free up their hands. I decided to design a holder that could easily clip to an airplane's seatback pocket, tray table, laptop screen etc. I wanted a device that I could simply put my iPod into and listen to my music or watch video's hands free, while reading or working on my laptop. The existing fold out A frame leather/plastic holders, do not achieve this They tend to slide on the tray table's smooth surface, while accending/decending or fall over during turbulent air. They especially do not work when the whole tray table space is occupied with a laptop, magazine or book. My invention even works when every seat/tray table on the airplane is occupied

Portable communication and audio/video devices, such as cellular telephones, Ipods, etc, have provided convenient communications and entertainment for users in various remote locations. Typically, when such communication is desired in an automobile or airplane, a hands-free holding system including a securing clip is used. During use, the device holds the portable communication or entertainment device. Of course, it is important that the device holds the portable device securely. This is particularly true when considering the environment of an automobile or airplane where subjected to sharp and sudden movements and vibrations.

When entering and leaving an automobile or airplane, a user typically lays the device unsecured on a pillow, tray or lap of the user. Unfortunately, conventional methods have not provided simple methods for securing or holding a portable electronic device since such simpler methods tend to compromise the secure attachment required.

Accordingly, what is needed is a holder that provides a simple method for holding and using a portable electronic device while providing a reliable grip It is also beneficial if such a holder can be adapted to a variety of portable electronic devices.

PRIOR ART

Patent Number Inventor Differences My Device Advantages US2006/0255218 HSIUNG Uses suction for attachment Guaranteed to hold specific A1 Non PED specific PED Limited to area of attachment Not restricted to use on by way of suction smooth surfaces only May still use while occupying full tray table space 5,568,549 Wang Designed to hold telephone Clamps onto laptop screen, only seatback pocket, or tray table Uses suction cups for Removable attachments to windshield application hold specific PED Supporting arm has limited Accommodates several flexibility different PEDs Limited to area of attachment Not restricted to use on by way of suction smooth surfaces only May still use while occupying full tray table space 4,850,804 HUANG Designed specifically for an Removable attachments to electric fan hold specific PED Needs electricity Doesn't need electricity Uses vertical support joints/ Flexible arm to accommodate limited flexibility virtually any viewing angle Accommodates several different PEDs U.S. Pat. No. 7,292,881 B2 Seil Designed specifically for iPod Removable attachments to FM radio transmitter with hold specific PED preset buttons Can use on an airplane since Doesn't have clamp doesn't transmit signal Needs electricity to work Doesn't need electricity Plugs into cigarette lighter Clamps onto laptop screen, Supplies a charge seatback pocket, or tray table Doesn't need a cigarette lighter to support device Accommodates several different PEDs 5,016,845 Pellegrino Designed to hold a baby bottle Accommodates several Uses a strap to hold the bottle different PEDs Removable attachments to hold specific PED PED will not slip out of holder 5,103,384 Drohan Designed to hold a flashlight Designed to hold certain PEDs Will not hold a PED Removable attachments to Limited to holding a cylinder hold specific PED shaped object Not limited to cylinder shaped devices

OTHER RELATED PATENTS

D533,768 S U.S. Pat. No. 6,520,495 US D522,843 S B1 US D521,990 U.S. Pat. No. 6,357,710 US D502,956 S B1 US D451,939 S 5,702,175 5,033,528 5,690,307 U.S. Pat. No. 7,272,984 B2 US D533,107 S 4,842,174 DES. 411,220 US 2006/0290654 DES. 394,669 A1 U.S. Pat. No. 6,983,930 US D549,709 B1 B1 U.S. Pat. No. 7,165,762 B1 6,157,163 US D544,487 U.S. Pat. No. 6,749,166 B2

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The device I have invented is a hands free portable music/video holder. It is designed to clip onto any airline tray table, seatback pocket, laptop screen or even a desktop. The top of the device is removable and may be interchanged with attachments designed specifically for whichever PED a person may have. This is to eliminate dupilicate buying of the whole assembly. If a person has multiple PED's, they can simply remove the top portion or holder and replace it with the one that is specific for their PED. My device is lightweight, inexpensive to manufacture and compact enough to travel with.

The device is about 1 foot tall and 2 inches deep and is rectangular shaped. It has a clamp on the other end of a flexible arm that clamps/clips to an airplane tray table or seat back pocket. The device is made from high impact plastic and could be any desirable color

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1. is a front perspective view of the electronic holding device with the Nano attachment in place.

FIG. 2. is a side perspective view of the electronic holding device with the Nano attachment in place.

FIG. 3. is a top perspective view of the electronic holding device with the Nano attachment in place.

FIG. 4. is a rear perspective view of the electronic holding device with the Nano attachment in place.

FIG. 5. is a view of the spring loaded clamp.

FIG. 6. is a view of the gooseneck or flexible shaft.

FIG. 7. is a top view of the attachment nut

FIG. 8. is a side view of the attachment nut

FIG. 9. is a front view of some of the many/possible attachments that fit the invention. Ie . . . iPhone/iTouch, iPod, Nano and Zune.

FIG. 10. is a rear view of some of the many/possible attachments that fit the invention. Ie . . . iPhone/iTouch, iPod, Nano and Zune.

FIG. 11. is a view of the invention holding the iPod illustrating its design by clamping to the seatback pocket.

FIG. 12. is a view of the invention holding the iPod illustrating its design by clamping to the seatback pocket.

FIG. 13. is a view of the invention clamped onto the seatback pocket with the iPod attachment.

FIG. 14. is a view of the invention clamped onto the tray table with the iPod attachment.

FIG. 15. is a view of the invention clamped onto the tray table with the iPod attachment illustrating a different viewing angle.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 shows the detachable audio/video holder (B) facing forward. The detachable audio/video holder (B) is fastened to a flexible shaft/gooseneck (A) by a removable means/nut FIG. 2 (D). A person could remove the flexible shaft/gooseneck (A) to replace it with a shorter or longer one by removing the nut at the end of the shaft (A) as depicted in FIG. 2 (F). The invention attaches to the tray table of an airplane or seatback pocket etc by a clamp FIG. 2 (C) that is spring loaded FIG. 2 (E).

FIG. 3 illustrates a top view of the detachable audio/video holder (B) removed from the rest of the invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates a rear view of the Nano attachment (B) fastened to the flexible shaft/gooseneck (A) by means of the fastening nut (D). By loosening this nut (D) the user can turn the audio/video holder to a comfortable viewing angle as shown in FIG. 9. The flexible shaft/gooseneck (A) is fastened at the other end, by a nut (F) to a clamp (C) that is spring loaded (E).

FIG. 5 illustrates a front view of some of the detachable attachments (B) not connected to the device.

FIG. 6 illustrates a rear view of some of the detachable attachments (B) not connected to the device.

FIG. 7 illustrates an iPod audio/video player being help in place by the iPod attachment (B). It is connected to the flexible shaft/gooseneck (A) and held in place on the seatback pocket by the spring-loaded clamp (C).

FIG. 8 illustrates the iPod attachment (B) that is connected to the flexible shaft/gooseneck (A) and held in place on the seatback pocket by the spring-loaded clamp (C).

FIG. 9 illustrates the iPod attachment (B) that is connected to the flexible shaft/gooseneck (A) that is held in place on the airplane tray table by the spring-loaded clamp (C).

A plastic holder, on the opposite end of a spring loaded clamp, connected via a gooseneck or flexible shaft. This holder is removable so that it may be replaced by another holder of the like, that fits a different size/type of PED (Personal Electronic Device). Each holder has no electrical connections inside of it whatsoever. It does not charge the unit, transmit a signal of any kind, or use batteries or electrical energy. It simply holds it.

The holder end is connected to a gooseneck or flexible shaft, yet detachable.

The flexible shaft or gooseneck, opposite of the holder, is connected to a spring loaded clamp. The clamp could be of a variety of sizes/shapes. The shaft may be removed by 

1. A portable electronic holder for securely holding and stabilizing portable electronic devices such as audio/video personal players when in use during flight, comprising; a clamping base embodiment removably attached to a flexible elongated shaft; whereby the flexible elongated shaft is removably attached to a to a device specific holder;
 2. The portable electronic holder as set forth in claim 1, wherein said clamping base embodies spring like resistance applying clamping force onto the surface to be attached.
 3. The portable electronic holder as set forth in claim 1, wherein flexible elongated shaft can be twisted, bent and shaped for angle adjustment of the holder.
 4. The portable electronic holder as set forth in claim 1, wherein the device specific holder on the apposing end from the clamp, is removable.
 5. The portable electronic holder as set forth in claim 1, wherein the device specific holder is removably attached to the flexible shaft by way of a tightening attachment running through the device specific holder.
 6. The portable electronic holder as set forth in claim 1, wherein the flexible is removable and replaceable for a variety of lengths.
 7. The portable electronic holder as set forth in claim 1, wherein the device specific holder is removably attached to the flexible shaft. 